Surprise Visit

[Darian Raniari]

Darian's charming smile remained in place, but there was a barely perceptible twitch at the corner of his eye.

"We'd had something of a... a falling out some time ago, and are only just now getting reacquainted once again." He turned his back to her, allowing his shoulders to slump as a sigh escaped him. "I pray that our reconciliation hasn't come too late..."

When he turned back to face her once again, there was a slight shadow of grief in his eyes, though his smile was as bright as ever.

"So, my dear, what about you? You say that you're about as close to him as anyone can get, but I have to wonder if he would have been able to ignore your beauty. Were he and you ever... involved?" Winking at her and chuckling a bit to himself, he continued. "I know that, were I in his position, I would find it impossible not to wonder about what else there may be to you, ma beauté..."

[helena]

Completely unaware of said sign of displeasure about the vampire’s eye, Helena made a sympathetic noise when he mentioned his falling out. True to her nature, she took a step toward him, giving his arm a friendly pat. If Darian was truly as close to Sastre as he claimed, a reconciliation would definitely be a welcome thing. She knew that the Hunter had never mentioned this…stranger before, but if they’d fought in the past and broken ties...well, that would explain everything.

“I’m sure that everything will work out between you two,” She said, a kind smile on her face. “And it’s very big of you to be the one to mend fences. It’s never too late to win back a close friend,”

That said, she let her arm drop. Poor Sastre; to lose a friend, when he needed them the most! Maybe she’d give the Hunter a call when Darian left, and see if she could nudge things along. She really did hate to be the busybody, but if it meant her friend’s happiness—

Surprise was obvious on her face as her brain took in what he said next. Beauty? Sastre resisting? Her? Okay, so there went all thoughts of seeing the two men reconciled.

Her cheeks reddened as she fussed with the stethoscope around her neck. A nervous little laugh escaped her as she turned her head to look out the window in front of him. “Involved? Er…you mean…oh, no. Nothing like that. Sastre and I are just friends. He’s one of the Hunters that I’ve been patching up for a while now, and it’s really just that kind of relationship. Doctor and patient…well, and friend to friend. He’s really one of the closest friends that I’ve ever had…probably because he doesn’t mind that I’m kind of an egghead.”

And there was the babbling. Oh, old friend, how she REALLY didn’t miss you! With a mental sigh, she did her best to shut her flapping mouth.

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[Darian Raniari]

Darian smiled brightly, though there was a cruel edge to it.

"Ah, so you are a close friend of his, then? Not simply his doctor?" He chuckled, nodding to himself. "I'm so glad to hear this, Helena, so very, very glad. He needs friends so badly, and I know that he hates getting close to people... It's in the nature of his job, I suppose. Danger follows him, after all."

Suddenly he stood before her, though she hadn't seen him move at all. He gazed into her eyes, his own narrowing just a bit, as if he was searching for something. Finally, a ghost of a smile spread across his lips, and he slipped one arm carefully about her waist.

"Helena... My dear, dear Helena," he said softly before leaning in and kissing her lightly upon the lips. "You have so eased my burden of worry, today. To know that the health of my most precious friend is so important to you... It fills my heart with joy. You must mean so much to him..."

[helena]

Alright...so, Sastre's friend or no; that smile was definitely doing nothing for the wariness in her belly. There was something about this man...something different, dangerous and her spidey senses were at full alert. She glanced at his reflection in the window, and did her best not to start shifting nervously.

"I suppose that I'm as close as any can get to Sastre," She forced herself to reply, crossing her arms over her chest. "He's had so much happen to him in the past, that it's no wonder that he doesn't trust very easily."

And then, quite unexpectantly, he was in front of her, and whatever else she was about to say died on her tongue. Surprise and a little hint of fear flashed on and off of her face. Okay, so someone didn't understand personal space. He must be European, she decided with an inner nod, pasting yet another friendly smile on her face. He was certainly refined, in an Old World manner that she hadn't seen outside of Pride and Prejudice, and there was that air of mystery--

With a little squeak of surprise, Helena looked up at him when he kissed her. The gesture was short and light, but nevertheless, a blush began to creap onto her cheeks. A bit flustered, she waved at his compliment and took a step back. "Um...thank you. I mean, I've known Sastre for a long time, and he's one of the best men that I've had the privilege of knowing. And...um...well, it's nice to see that you're on his side. You seem like a very nice person as well."

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[Darian Raniari]

"Well, someone has to be on his side, right?"

He winked at Helena, his charming smile still in place. "Well, my dear, I'm afraid that this visit is at an end. I have pressing business elsewhere, but this has been most enlightening." Reaching up, he gently brushed his fingers along her cheek. "I pray, Helena, that we can see each other again."

Before turning away, he reached into the pocket of his jacket and withdrew a card, handing it to her.

"There are various numbers and addresses here where you can reach me, if the need arises. Please, feel free to contact me even if the need doesn't arise. I've always a bit of time to spare for a beautiful woman."

Casting one final smile over his shoulder, Darian glided out silently, his smile turning cruel once he was out of sight.

((Finished.))